Subsidies & tax incentives for Software & Digital Innovation (we are).

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What is this PDF about?

This document (we are, 2025) provides a practical overview of subsidies and tax advantages that can support (part of) your investment in software development and digital innovation. Amounts/percentages can change; treat this as directional.

Overview: subsidies & tax incentives (summary)

1) SME portfolio (VLAIO) — advice/training

What for? Advice and/or training to improve your business. Useful as a pre-track for software projects (e.g. strategy, analysis, digital roadmap).

• Support: 30% (small company) or 20% (medium)
• Ceiling: max €7,500/year
• Key conditions: SME or liberal profession; advice via a recognised provider; within relevant themes (e.g. digitalisation/innovation).
• Timing: apply within 14 days after the start date of services.

2) SME Growth Subsidy (VLAIO)

What for? Strategic advice by an external expert and/or gross wage cost for hiring a strategic profile.

• Support: up to €25,000, government covers up to 50%.
• Application: competitive calls (typically 3–4 per year) per theme.

3) Start-AI (Agoria / VLAIO)

What for? Companies exploring strategic use of AI/data.

• Trajectory cost: €1,645
• Indicative subsidy value (PDF): €2,540 excl. VAT.

4) Innovative Starter Support (VLAIO)

What for? Proof of concept and/or proof of business.

• Support: €50,000 + guidance.

5) Feasibility Study (VLAIO)

What for? Study to assess feasibility of an innovation.

• Support: 40–50%, max €50,000.

6) Development Project (VLAIO)

What for? Development of a new/improved product/process/service.

• Support: 25–50%; min €25,000, max €3,000,000.

7) Innovation deduction (FPS Finance)

Tax deduction on income from innovative IP/software.

• Benefit: up to 85% of net innovation income exempt.

8) Investment deduction (FPS Finance)

One-off deduction for new fixed assets such as digital investments/custom software.

• Base: 10%
• Digital investments (PDF): up to 20%.

Which track fits when? (rule of thumb)

• Advice/pre-track → SME portfolio
• Strategic growth → SME growth subsidy
• AI exploration → Start-AI
• Starter PoC/PoB → Innovative Starter Support
• First investigate uncertainty → Feasibility Study
• Build prototype/pilot → Development Project
• After development: tax optimisation → Innovation deduction / Investment deduction

Contact (from PDF)

Guillaume Vande Maele — guillaume@we-are.be — +32 475 20 65 55